Tornado
Statistics for Alabama

The tornado statistics
for the state of Alabama were compiled from a variety of sources
including Storm Data published by the National Climatic Data
Center (NCDC) using information prepared by National Weather Service
(NWS) offices around the country, data from the Storm Prediction
Center, and historical information found in Significant Tornadoes,
1680-1991 by Thomas P. Grazulis of The
Tornado Project. This represents the best possible information
to our knowledge.

Tornado
Statistics for Alabama
1950 through 2003

Average
number of tornadoes per year

23

Total
tornadoes 1950 through 2003

1225

Greatest
number of tornadoes in a year

55
in 2001

Smallest
number of tornadoes in a year

2
in 1950

Greatest
number of tornadoes in 24 hrs

36,
Nov. 24-25, 2001

Average
number of deaths

7

Average
number of days with tornadoes

11

These numbers are
based on reported tornadoes since 1950. Tornado statistics since 1950
are considered more complete than those prior to that date. Prior to
1950, data is good on major tornado events but many small tornadoes went
unreported. Even today, some events may go undocumented because no property
is affected or when larger, more devastating events overshadow smaller
tornadoes with less damage.